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The Best Luxury Hotels
Park Hyatt Sydney (NSW; tel. 800/633-7313 in the U.S. and Canada, or 02/9241 1234 in Australia): You'll have to book well in advance to snag a room at Sydney's best-situated property, at the edge of the city's historic Rocks district. Many rooms have fabulous views across the harbor to the Sydney Opera House.
The Sebel Reef House & Spa Palm Cove (Cairns, QLD; tel. 1800/079 052 in Australia, or 07/4055 3633): Everyone who stays here says the same thing: "It feels like home." Airy rooms look into tropical gardens, waterfalls cascade into the pools, mosquito nets drape over the beds, and you could swear pith-helmeted colonial officers will be back any minute to finish their gin-and-tonics in the Brigadier Bar. Idyllic Palm Cove Beach is just across the road.
Lizard Island (off Cairns, QLD; tel. 1300/134 044 in Australia, or 02/8296 8010): Lizard Island has long been popular with Americans for its game fishing, wonderful coral and diving, smart food, and simple upscale lodge accommodations.
Bedarra Island (off Mission Beach, QLD; tel. 1300/134 044 in Australia, or 02/8296 8010): Presidents and princesses in need of a little time out come to this small rainforest island ringed by beaches. The timber villas are cozy, and the discreet staff assures privacy. Best of all, though, is the extravagant 24-hour open bar.
Orpheus Island Resort (off Townsville or Cairns, QLD; tel. 07/4777 7377 in Australia): Beloved of film stars and others who relish privacy, this resort has simple, attractive rooms; good food; a marvelous sense of seclusion; and a beautiful location in the curve of a palm-lined bay. The only way in is by seaplane.
Hayman (Whitsunday Islands, QLD; tel. 1800/075 175 in Australia, or Leading Hotels of the World, 800/745-8883 in the U.S. and Canada, 0800/1010-1111 in the U.K. and Ireland, or 0800/44 1016 in New Zealand): On Hayman Island in the Whitsundays, this is Australia's most glamorous resort. It has classy rooms, excellent restaurants, a staff that's keen to please, a superb hexagonal swimming pool, and a fleet of charter boats waiting to spirit you off to the Reef or your own deserted isle.
Longitude 131 (Uluru/Ayers Rock, Red Centre, NT; tel. 08/8957 7888): A newcomer to the Ayers Rock resort scene, Longitude 131 is an African-style luxury safari camp set in the sand dunes, with great views of Uluru (Ayers Rock). It's very exclusive and very expensive, but you experience the Outback in style.
El Questro Homestead (The Kimberley, WA; tel. 1300/134 044): Charming country decor spiced up with Indonesian antiques, good cooking, and a dramatic gorge location make this glamorous homestead on a million-acre cattle station popular with jet-setters. Cruise wild gorges, heli-fish for barramundi, and hike to Aboriginal rock art while you're here.
Cable Beach Club Resort Broome (Broome, WA; tel. 1800/199 099 n Australia, or 08/9192 0400): Chinatown meets the Outback at this elegant corrugated-iron-and-pagoda-studded resort lying low along glorious Cable Beach in the romantic pearling port of Broome. Three to-die-for suites are decorated with superb Asian antiques and paintings by luminaries of the Australian art world.
The Como Melbourne (Melbourne, VIC; tel. 1800/033 400 in Australia, or 03/9825 2222): Great service, nice rooms, and free plastic ducks make this one of our favorite top-flight Australian hotels.
Hyatt Hotel Canberra (Canberra, ACT; tel. 800/233-1234 in the U.S. and Canada, or 02/6270 1234): Visiting heads of state and pop stars make this their residence when staying in Canberra. It's a 2-minute drive from the central shopping district, and a stone's throw from Lake Burley Griffin and the Parliamentary Triangle.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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